COVID Live Updates: Amazon offers vaccine delivery help, Fauci addresses WHO

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Amazon is offering to help the Biden administration work out the delivery kinks of the vaccine.

They said they are offering to "leverage its operations, information technology, and communications capabilities."

Meanwhile some encouraging news, a federal memo shows - overall - the country is seeing fewer coronavirus cases week-to-week, and deaths are leveling off. But the number of people dying each day is staggering.

In the last 24 hours, a record 4,409 people died. That's nearly the number of all US military personnel killed in Iraq since 2003.

Dr. Anthony Fauci represented the U.S. at a World Health Organization meeting. President Biden is rejoining the WHO after Former President Trump's withdrawal.

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Here are more of today's headlines:

Dr. Fauci's message to MTA workers: Get vaccinated

Former straphanger Dr. Anthony Fauci had a special message just for MTA workers on Thursday morning.

"And so since I care about you all, I strongly encourage all MTA workers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus," he said.

Acknowledging hesitancy among transit workers to get the vaccine, the MTA played the special message at its board meeting.

Top 7 COVID vaccine questions answered

You had questions about COVID-19 vaccines and 7 On Your Side is getting you answers from doctors on the front line of the pandemic.

Fauci resumes COVID-19 briefings in White House under Biden administration

Dr. Anthony Fauci is back in the White House briefing room. The nation's leading infectious disease expert was tasked by President Joe Biden to give an update on the coronavirus pandemic after largely being sidelined in recent months by former president Donald Trump.

Fauci said the new administration would "be completely open and honest" in dealing with the pandemic and, in an implicit rebuke to the Trump administration, said everything now would be "based on science and evidence."

Eli Lilly says antibody can prevent COVID-19 illness in nursing homes

Drugmaker Eli Lilly said Thursday its antibody drug can prevent COVID-19 illness in residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care locations.

It's the first major study to show such a treatment may prevent illness in a group that has been devastated by the pandemic.

7 On Your Side: Tips for hiring reputable movers in the age of COVID

Scheduling a mover has taken on a greater sense of urgency in this age of COVID, but hiring movers is part art and mostly science. 7 On Your Side's Nina Pineda has the tips to smooth out a stressful situation.

UK cruise liner to require all passengers be vaccinated

Saga Cruises, a U.K.-based cruise operator, announced it was requiring all passengers to have received the COVID-19 vaccine before embarking on a trip.

The cruise industry as a whole has grappled with multiple deadly outbreaks of the virus aboard ships since February 2020, and many cruise liners were forced to halt operations entirely amid the pandemic.

Saga Cruises' vaccine requirement appears to be a first for major cruise operators. The company said it is moving the restart date for its cruises to May to allow time for more people to receive the vaccine.

President Biden pushes to reopen schools within 100 days as part of COVID-19 response

President Joe Biden is pledging to reopen most K-12 schools within 100 days -- an ambitious goal as Covid cases surge and teachers across the country fight some plans to reopen.

Teachers' union leaders say they are pleased with Biden's sense of urgency and focus, but they warn that the 100-day pledge may need to be a goal rather than a fixed target.

1 year ago today: Doctor reflects on treating 'patient one,' 1st confirmed COVID-19 case in US

On January 21, 2020, the United States announced its first confirmed case of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus from Wuhan, China -- what we now call COVID-19.

The country's first known case of the illness that fueled a pandemic and claimed hundreds of thousands of American lives was detected in a man who lived outside of Seattle, Washington.

President Biden instructs Department of Education to extend student loan relief

At the request of President Joe Biden, acting Secretary of Education will extend the pause on Federal Student Loan payments and collections and keep the interest rate at 0% through Sept. 30.

The extension was announced Wednesday evening, days before the moratorium is set to expire at the end of this month .

While holding hands husband, wife die from COVID-19 days after 70th wedding anniversary

The increasing death toll from COVID-19 has devastated many families on a personal level. One instance illustrates that like no other.

An Ohio couple that had recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary both passed away minutes apart, leaving behind seven decades of memories, five children, 13 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Success Academy all-remote for rest of school year

Success Academy, New York City's largest charter school network with about 20,000 students, will remain remote only for the rest of the school year. Virtual classes will end May 28, one month early. Classes will resume August 2, hopefully with a better chance at in-person learning than in the spring.

NY closes some vaccination sites

So far, 15 vaccination sites in New York City have been forced to close due to lack of vaccine.

The mayor says the shortage is causing the city to fall short of its vaccination goals.

Because of a delay in Moderna vaccine shipments, the city has rescheduled nearly 23,000 appointments originally set for today through Sunday.

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